Completed in July 1927 as the motor passenger ship Cheshire for Bibby Brothers & Co, Liverpool. On 29 Aug 1939, requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to the armed merchant cruiser HMS Cheshire (F 18)

At 21.28 hours on 14 Oct 1940, HMS Cheshire (F 18) (Capt M.R. Bernard, Rtd, RN) was struck by one torpedo from U-137 (Wohlfarth) northwest of Ireland in 55°13N/13°02W. 220 crew members were taken off by HMCS Skeena (D 59) (LtCdr J.C. Hibbard, RCN) and HMS Periwinkle (K 55) (LtCdr P.G. MacIver, RNR) and the ship was towed to Belfast Lough where she was beached. The ship was later taken to Liverpool for repairs that took six months.

On 9 Jun 1943, returned to the owner and then used by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) as troop transport.

Post-war:In 1945 used as repatriation ship and returned to the owner on 5 Oct 1948. Broken up at Newport in Juli 1957.